New Jersey is $705 million short of Governor Christie’s revenue projections, Rosen said. Rather than revenues growing at Christie’s expected 8 percent, they have grown at 0.2 percent so far.

The Record’s John Reitmeyer reports the shortfall may jeopardize spending on property tax relief, money for the public employee pension fund and Christie’s proposed income tax cut.

An examination of the Sandy relief bills from the U.S. Senate and House shows the legislation allocates money into broad, unspecific categories, allowing critics in Congress and elsewhere to claim the aid package is laden with “pork,” or unnecessary spending.

For anyone reading the bill language, it’s unclear exactly what projects would get funded — although members of Congress say they have supporting documents showing the money would go to things like repairing the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and to national fish hatcheries.

A $9 billion relief bill bailing out a federal flood insurance program is expected to be taken up in the House today, a day after the 113th Congress began its session. Be sure to check out the Associated Press’ preview of the new session, as well as its infographic on the make-up of the new Congress.

Back in New Jersey, yesterday wasn’t all bad news for the governor. Christie’s re-election campaign announced it raised $2.1 million between Nov. 21 and the end of the year — all without holding any fundraisers. The figure beat the campaign’s $2 million goal.

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The Bloggers

Melissa Hayes, who has worked at The Record since 2010, covers Gov. Chris Christie and politics for the State House Bureau. Follow her on Twitter at @Record_Melissa. View all of her posts

Herb Jackson is the Washington correspondent for The Record, covering North Jersey issues on the Potomac, including the activities of the congressional delegation and federal policies that affect the region. Follow him on Twitter @Record_DC.View all of his posts.

John Reitmeyer, a reporter in the State House Bureau since 2007, focuses on taxes, state budgets, campaign finance and government ethics. Follow him on Twitter @JohnReitmeyer. View all of his posts

Charles Stile is the political columnist for The Record. He is a former State House Bureau chief at The Record and has covered politics and government in New Jersey for more than two decades. Follow him on Twitter @PoliticalStile. View all of his posts